Federal Bureau of Prisons Increases Staffing at Troubled NYC Jail where Sean “Diddy” Combs is Detained

The federal Bureau of Prisons has been making efforts to address the long-standing issues at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where Sean “Diddy” Combs is currently awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The facility has been plagued by dangerous conditions, violence, and multiple deaths, prompting judges to refuse to send people there.

Combs’ lawyers are advocating for his transfer to a jail in New Jersey, citing the unsuitability of MDC Brooklyn for pretrial detention. Despite recent staffing increases and maintenance efforts, the facility still faces challenges, with 157 vacant positions out of a total of 469 employees.

The Urgent Action Team, a group of senior Bureau of Prisons officials, has been working to address staffing shortages and infrastructure issues at MDC Brooklyn. The facility’s inmate population has decreased from 1,600 to 1,200, and over 800 work orders for repairs and improvements have been completed.

In addition to staffing challenges, MDC Brooklyn has faced allegations of staff misconduct, including the smuggling of contraband to inmates. The Bureau of Prisons has struggled to retain correctional officers, particularly in high-cost cities like New York, leading to safety concerns and overtime shifts.

The focus on fixing MDC Brooklyn comes as Congress and the public demand accountability and reform within the federal prison system. President Joe Biden recently signed a law establishing new oversight measures, including an independent ombudsman and risk-based inspections of all federal prison facilities.

The ongoing scrutiny of the Bureau of Prisons highlights the need for systemic changes to address the issues of violence, staffing shortages, and misconduct within the nation’s prison system. Combs’ detention at MDC Brooklyn has brought renewed attention to the urgent need for reform and accountability in federal prisons.